"Business owners, of course, need to be more cognizant of shoplifting and keep a higher watch on customers," Milam said.

Milam also advised on how community member can prevent holiday-time thefts beyond Black Friday.

Milam suggested that large amounts of gifts not be displayed or arranged in close proximity to windows of a residence, where they are visible from outside. Such a precaution reduces the risk of a Christmas season burglary.

Milam also said that once gifts have been opened, avoid discarding their boxes in a manner that reveals what new items are in the residence.

"If you get a brand-new 50-inch television and take it out of the box and put the box on the curb, you are advertising that you have a new 50-inch TV," Milam said. "When it comes to Christmas time, there’s new items in the house and criminals know this."